Coin handling apparatus

ABSTRACT

An auxiliary latch for a testing cradle of a coin-testing and accepting device is provided and arranged to be released by coins of the denomination to be tested by that cradle but to be nonresponsive to coins of smaller diameter, even when the latter contact the cradle at considerable velocity or at an unusual angle, for assuring that coins of such smaller diameter will pass through the cradle without entering the accept path associated with the latter.

United States Patent 11 1 Hennessy 154] COIN HANDLING APPARATUS [75]Inventor: John A. l-lennessy, Raytown, Mo.

[73] Assignee: The Vendo Company, Kansas City,

[22] Filed: Oct. 19, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 190,624

[52] 11.8. CI ..l94/l02 [51] Int. Cl ..G07f 3/02 [58] Field of Search..194/97, 102, 103

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Simpson l-Iaverstick 194/1021 Mar. 27, 1973 Okolischan ..l94/l02 Johnson ..l94/l02 PrimaryExaminer-Samuel F. Coleman Att0rneySchmidt, Johnson, Hovey & Williams[57] ABSTRACT An auxiliary latch for a testing cradle of a coin-testingand accepting device is provided and arranged to be released by coins ofthe denomination to be tested by that cradle but to be non-responsive tocoins of smaller diameter, even when the latter contact the cradle atconsiderable velocity or at an unusual angle, for assuring that coins ofsuch smaller diameter will pass through the cradle without entering theaccept path associated with the latter.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATH-ITEUHARZYIGB ,722,553

- I .NVENTOR do/m A. Hennessy r ATTORNEY$ COIN HANDLING APPARATUS Thisinvention relates to coin-handling equipment and, more particularly, toan improvement in coin-testing and accepting apparatus, such as employedin vending machines, which eliminates the problem of smallercustomer-deposited coins, such as dimes, sometimes entering theaccepting pathway for larger coins, such as quarters, instead ofgravitating between the legs of the testing cradle for the larger coinsto the testing means provided therebelow for the smaller coins.

Coin-accepting and rejecting devices having cradle type coin-testingstructures, such as shown and described in detail in U. S. LettersPatent Nos. 3,120,300; 3,155,214; and 3,172,523, initially separatecustomer-deposited coins by denominations and then subject the separatedcoins of each denomination to a series of further authenticity tests.Such separation of coins by their denominations is carried out bypassing the deposited coins through a series of generally verticallyaligned coin-testing cradles, with the uppermost cradle in the seriesbeing designed to select a large coin, such as a quarter, on the basisof its. diameter and weight, and to divert it into a quarter pathway forfurther testing and possible acceptance, while allowing smaller coins,such as dimes and nickels, to gravitate between the legs of the quartercradle down into nickel and penny-dime cradles, which are disposedsuccessively therebelow. At least the quarter cradle is normallyprovided and cooperates with additional size checking structure, knownas primary cradle locks, which are usually disposed adjacent theaccepting pathway to effect a more precise diameter check of the cointhan the cradle itself can perform and to preclude the cradle fromtipping sufficiently to unload even a slightly undersize coin into thepathway for further testing and acceptance. Such primary cradle locksoperate to releasably latch the cradle against swinging movement past acertain point in its movement toward a position for delivering a coininto the further testing and accepting pathway unless and until thecoin, during such initial movement of the cradle, engages and shifts thesizing structure to release the cradle.

It has been found that upon too frequent occasions, however, andparticularly in those situations in which a relatively long, steeplyinclined coin chute is provided leading up to the entrance of thetesting apparatus, a deposited smaller coin, such as a dime, instead ofgravitating downwardly between the opposed legs of the larger coincradle as it should, will bounce or ricochet against one leg of thecradle and between the latter and the sizing structure element of theprimary cradle lock into the accepting pathway for the larger coin. Suchinadvertently selected smaller coins then often continue through theremainder of the testing mechanism for the larger coin to cause theregistering of an erroneously high value of credit in the machine.

Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to providesimple and inexpensive, yet highly reliable, means for precludingaccidental admission of a smaller coin, such as a dime, past the testingcradle and intothe accepting pathway provided for a larger coin.

Another important object of the invention is to provide such meansemploying a simple, gravity-biased, auxiliary latch which is separatefrom and operable independently of any primary cradle lock that may beprovided, and which holds the cradle with which it is associated againstsubstantial tipping thereof, unless and until a sensing tab on theauxiliary latch is positively engaged by either a proper or a smallercoin, such tab being significantly disposed between and below the legsof the cradle sufficiently that a smaller coin, once it has engaged thetab for releasing the latch, is committed to a trajectory through thelegs of the cradle from which it is unable to revert to the acceptingpathway associated with the cradle.

A further important object of the present invention is to provideauxiliary latch means as set forth above which may be quickly andeasilyincorporated into the limited space and already intricate designof coin-accepting devices of types currently in use, with a minimum ofmodification in the basic device.

Other important objects of the present invention will be made clearorbecome apparent from the following description of a preferredembodiment of the invention.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, front elevational view of coin testing andaccepting apparatus illustrative of the general type of such apparatuswith which the auxiliary latching means of the present invention isadapted to be used;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, rear elevational view of the upper corner ofthe apparatus of FIG. 1, showing an auxiliary latching device whichembodies the preferred concepts of the present invention;

FIG, 3 is a fragmentary, elevational view of the front side of the uppercorner of the apparatus of FIG. 2, showing in phantom the quarter orother larger coin cradle with such a coin supported thereon toillustrate .the general relationship between the cradle, a genuine FIG.6 is a fragmentary, enlarged, vertical cross-sectional view of theauxiliary latching device taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, the coin-testing and accepting apparatusto which the invention is applied for illustration is designated broadlyby the numeral 10 and is of the three-in-one" type designed to separateand test quarters, nickels and dimes, although it is to be understoodthat the invention is also applicable to apparatus for handling agreater or lesser number of denominations or foreign coinage.

The apparatus 10 includes a main frame 12 having a normally verticallyextending main wall 14 and a pair of integral, forwardly projecting sideflanges 16 and 18. The main gate 20 of apparatus 10 is pivotally mountedon frame 12 by means of an upright pin 22 which also supports forswinging movement a secondary or magnet gate 24 and an ejector 25 shownfragmentarily only in FIG. 1. The main gate 20 includes a generallyplanar section 26 remote from the pin 22 which cooperates with the innerface of main wall 14, during normal operation, to define spaced, opposedsides for an assortment of coin pathways and testing zones which leadfrom a funnel-like, coin entrance, which is defined by a 29 and 31,define top and bottom limits for appropriate portions of the mentionedcoin pathways and testing zones. A scavenger mechanism 32 on wall 14 isoperable when needed to scavenge jammed coins or rejected slugs from thepassages and testing zones within the apparatus.

As may be seen best from FIG. 4, coins which enter theapparatusgravitate through a generally vertically extending pathway 34 which issuccessively joined byalaterally extending quarter-accepting pathway 36and a laterally extending nickel-accepting pathway 38 therebelow. Aquarter testing cradle 42 is pivotally mounted on section 26 anddisposed substantially at the junction of pathways 34 and 36 while, in asimilar manner, nickel cradle 44 is provided and mounted adjacent thejunction of pathway 38 with the main pathway 34. The cradles 42 and 44are generally similar in configuration and function, and, for example,the quarter cradle 42 has a pair of legs 48 and 50 which projectinwardly through appropriate openings in the planar section 26 and intothe zone of juncture of pathway 34 and willricochet therefrom into moreor less concurrent impact with the tab 56 of cradle lock 52 and the leg48 of cradle 42, which both frees and clearly in FIGS. 2, 3,5 and 6,broadly functions to pathways 34 and 36. Cradle 42 is pivoted upon theaxis 43 and is provided with a weight 45 for normally disposing thecradle 42 and its legs 48 and 50 inthe dispositions illustrated in FIGS.1, 3 and 4.

A size checking or primary cradle lock member 52 typically is generallyV-shaped and is pivotally mounted as at 53 on the front of planarsection 26 and conventionally has a lateral ear (not shown) whichprojects into a shouldered opening54 in the cradle 42 to normally limitthe extent of tipping of cradle 42 in a clockwise direction in FIGS. 1and 3'until the member 52 itself has been tipped in a similar directionto free the ear thereof from the shoulder within opening 54. A

' coin-engaging tab 56 onthe opposite leg of member 52 projects throughan appropriate opening in section 26 and into the zoneof juncture ofpathways 34 and 36 ad'- jacent cradle 42 and generally above leg 48 ofthe latter. When tab 56 is engaged by a genuine quarter on cradle 42during the initial tipping of the latter permitted by member 52, themember 52 is shifted in a counterclockwise direction from its positionof FIG. 4 to clear its ear'from the shoulder, in opening 54, and therebythe cradle 42 is released from the limiting effects ofthe member 52 inthe conventional manner.

Thus, those skilled in the art'will understand that a quarter enteringthe pathway 34 is received upon and temporarily restrained by legs 48and 50 of cradle 42, which then starts to rock in a counterclockwisedirection in FIG. 4 under the influence of the weight of the quarter,whereupon a genuine quarter engages tab 56 to release cradle 42 forfurther counterclockwise rotation to discharge the quarter into thepathway 36 for subsequent authenticity tests. On the other hand, nickelsand dimes entering the pathway 34' should and normally do pass betweenthe legs 48 and 50 of quarter cradle 42 from which they gravitate. alongpathway 34 I to the lower nickel cradle. Unfortunately, however, not

all of'the smaller coins behave in the expected manner just noted. Somedimes, for example, will strike either the leg 50 or some portion of thestructure defining rotates the cradle 42 sufficiently to permit the dimeto enter acceptance pathway 36 between the shifted tab 56 and leg 48.

The auxiliary latch of this invention, shown most preclude sufficientmovement of the leg 48 of cradle 42 away from tab 56 of primary cradlelock 52 under the influenceof an errant dime or nickel to permit suchsmaller coin to pass therebetween into the quarter acceptance pathway36. Thus, a dime seeking to enlarge and ricochet through the gap betweentab 56 and cradle leg 48 will be precluded by the auxiliary latch ofthis invention from doing so, and, instead, will continue in its propercourse of travel down the pathway 34 toward the dime cradle 46.

The structure for accomplishing this result comprises a generallyrectangular, open-frame, auxiliary latching device 58 mounted on therear face of wall 14 as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The device 58 issomewhat loosely suspended from the wall 14 by an outwardly projectingpost 60 having a sloppy fit passage through the device 58 and providedwith a retainer 62 thereon. The upper region of latch 58 has a noseportion 64 facing wall, which catches on a shelf 66 formedby adepression in the rear face of wall l4to provide a fulcrum point forswinging of the lower region of device 58 toward and away from the wall14. A cradle stop projection 68 adjacent the lower end of device 58normally projects through an opening 69 in the wall 14, as shown in FIG.5, because of the disposi-' tion of the center of gravity .of the device58. The upper surface 71 of the projection 68, which maybe flat as shownin FIG. 3 or may incline slightly upwardly as its tip end is approached,normally is disposed below and extends into thearcuate path of travel ofthe cradle leg 48 and is normally so located as to permit onlyrelatively slight rotation of cradle 42 and tra'vel of the cradle leg48-away from tab 56 before leg 48- is-stopped by projection 68, therebyeffectively-restricting the'gap between tab 56 and leg 48 to preventpassage ofa dime therebetween. .A coin sensing projection intermediatethe ends of device 58 has a downwardly slop-' ing, upper face 73 whichnormally projects through an opening 75 in wall 14 and into thepassageway 34 below and between the cradle legs 48 and 50, with theoutermost tip of projection 70 being disposed approximately in alignmentwith the point 70a on the planar section 26 indicated in FIG. 4. i

The latch 58 is of lightweight construction, so that only relativelyslight pressure. is required to be exerted against the sloping face 71of projection 70 to cause the 1 lower end of the latch SSand theprojection 68 to swing outwardly away from their normal positions shownin disposition merely by the weight of a proper coin hearing against theinclined surface 73 of projection 70.

Reviewing the overall operation of the apparatus 10, with referenceparticularly to quarters and the quarter cradle 42 for purposes ofillustration, a quarter, upon entering the receiving pathway 34 from thefunnel 28-30, is initially prevented from downward gravitation past theentrance to accepting pathway 36 by the quarter cradle legs 48 and 50.At the instant that the quarter comes to rest in bridging relationshipwith the legs 48 and 50, the point 70a (FIG. 4) representing the tip ofprojection 70 on latch 58 is disposed slightly below the periphery ofthe quarter supported in cradle 42. However, as the cradle 42 begins totip toward the accepting pathway 36, the quarter supported thereon ismoved laterally toward the tab 56 of the primary cradle lock member 52and downwardly toward the tip of projection 70 of the auxiliary latch58. The projection 70 is engaged by the lower edge of the quarter andpushed out of its FIG. 6 position in pathway 34 slightly ahead of theengagement of the cradle leg 48 that would otherwise occur with theprojection 68. By the time cradle leg 48 reaches the position at whichit would otherwise be stopped by projection 68, the latter has also beenswung out of its FIG. 5 position in pathway 34 to present anunobstructed path of travel for leg 48. Continued tipping of the cradle42 then causes the quarter to engage and move tab 56 to rotate thecradle lock 52, thereby completely releasing cradle. 42 and permittingit to discharge the quarter into the quarter accepting pathway 36.

In contrast, when a dime or other disc of size substantially smallerthan a genuine quarter enters the receiving pathway 34, such time isprecluded from ricocheting through the gap between tab 56 and cradle leg48, because of the restricted size of such gap maintained by theauxiliary latch 58 until the latter has been released by contact of acoin with the projection 70. Further, by the time a dime reaches point70a, where it may release the auxiliary latch 58 by movement against theprojection 70 to swing the projection 68 out of its latching position,such dime is already then in a position where it has become committed togravitate between legs 48 and 50 and continue downward movement towardthe awaiting cradle 44. Thus, even those dimes which ricochet within theapparatus 10 as a result of passage through relatively long, steeplyinclined coin chutes prior to reaching receiving pathway 34 areeffectively precluded from entering the quarter pathway 36.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the invention may beapplied to virtually any coin selecting or testing apparatus having acradle for selecting or testing coins of a size larger than other coinswhich are intended to be passed through the cradle; that, although theauxiliary latch provided by the invention for the special purposedescribed is preferably employed in conjunction with a primary cradlelock in order to also retain the precise diameter testing achieved bythe latter, the auxiliary latch will retain its utility for achievingits own function even when used without a primary cradle lock; and thatvarious minor modifications of details of construction might be madefrom those disclosed to illustrate a currently preferred form of theinvention. Accordingly, the invention should be deemed limited only bythe fair scope of the claims that follow. Having thus described theinvention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by LettersPatent is:

1. In apparatus for testing and separating coins of a larger diameterfrom coins of a lesser diameter:

structure presenting a coin testing zone, a downwardly extending coinentry pathway leading to said zone, a non-selected coin pathwayextending downwardly from said zone, and a coin accepting pathwayextending generally laterally from said zone;

a cradle pivotally mounted on said structure for movement between anormal standby position and a shifted delivery position thereof,

said cradle having a pair of spaced legs extending into said zone forreceiving and temporarily supporting a larger diameter coin enteringsaid zone from said coin entry pathway,

said cradle being operative when moved into said delivery positionthereof for discharging a larger diameter coin previously received bysaid legs into said coin accepting pathway,

said cradle being movable away from said standby position thereof andtoward said deliveryposition thereof in response to the weight of alarger diameter coin previously received by said legs,

one of said legs, .when said cradle is inits standby position or in apartially shifted intermediate position thereof during the initialportion of its movement toward its delivery position, extending into anentrance portion of said accepting pathway adjacent said zone and beingdisposed to block entry of even said lesser diameter coins into saidaccepting pathway,

said legs being sufficiently spaced apart to normally clear said lesserdiameter coins for gravitational movement from said coin entry pathway,thence between said legs and into said non-selected coin pathway, a

said cradle being vulnerable, under the influence of impact of an errantlesser diameter coin upon said one leg, to undesired movement of saidcradle toward said delivery position thereof and beyond saidintermediate position thereof to move said one leg out of its saidblocking dispositionand thereby permit said errant lesser diameter cointo enter said accepting pathway; and

cradle latching means shiftably mounted on said structure for movementbetween a normal cradle latching position and a shifted cradleunlatching position thereof,

said latching means including cradle engaging means operable, when saidlatching means is in its latching position, to restrain said cradleagainst movement toward its delivery position beyond said intermediateposition thereof, and

coin sensing means disposed below and on a line extending verticallybetween said legs of said cradle and operable, when operatively engagedby either a larger diameter coin or a lesser diameter coin, to move saidlatching means to its unlatching position,

said coin sensing means being disposed relative to said legs foroperative engagement by the edge of a larger diameter coin supported onsaid legs as said cradle moves away from said standby position towardsaid delivery position thereof and for operative engagement by a lesserdiameter coin only after the latter has sufficiently traversed adownward trajectory between said legs to'be committed to continuingpassage toward and into said nonselected coin pathway.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein said latching means is movable fromits latching position to its unlatching position by operative engagementof a lesser diameter coin with said coin sensing means while said cradleremains in its standby position.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein said latching means is swingableabout a substantially horizontal axis disposed in a vertical planesubstantially perpendicular to the axis of pivoting of said cradle.

- leg and in the path of movement of the latter when said latching meansis in its latching position, said latching projection being withdrawnfrom said path of travel of said one leg when said latching means isswung to its unlatching position;

5. The invention of claim 3, wherein said coin sensing means comprises asensing projection on said latching means having an inclined uppersurface engageable by either a larger diameter coin or a lesser diametercoin for swinging said latching means to its unlatching position.

6. The invention-of claim 5, wherein said cradle engaging meanscomprises a latching projection on said latching means extending into aposition below said one leg and in the path of movement of the latterwhen said latching means is in its latching position, said latchingprojection being withdrawn from said path of travel of said one leg whensaid latching means is swung to its u nlatchin g positioni 7. Theinvention of claim 1, wherein is provided primary cradle lock meanspivotally mounted on said structure for movement between a normallocking position and a shifted unlocking position, said cradle lockmeans including means coupled with said cradle for restraining thelatter against movement into its delivery position while said cradlelock means is in its locked position, and a coin-engageable tabextending into said testing zone generally above said one leg and on theside of the latter opposite from the other of said legs, said tab beingnormally operative when engaged by a larger diameter coin supported onsaid cradle as the latter moves toward its delivery position to shiftsaid thereof, whereby said errant lesser diameter coin could enter saidacceptance pathway except for the employment of said latching means inconjunction with said prima ficradle lock means.

8. e invention of claim 7, wherein said com travel of said one leg-whensaid latching means is swung to its unlatching position.

1. In apparatus for testing and separating coins of a larger diameterfrom coins of a lesser diameter: structure presenting a coin testingzone, a downwardly extending coin entry pathway leading to said zone, anon-selected coin pathway extending downwardly from said zone, and acoin accepting pathway extending generally laterally from said zone; acradle pivotally mounted on said structure for movement between a normalstandby position and a shifted delivery position thereof, said cradlehaving a pair of spaced legs extending into said zone for receiving andtemporarily supporting a larger diameter coin entering said zone fromsaid coin entry pathway, said cradle being operative when moved intosaid delivery position thereof for discharging a larger diameter coinpreviously received by said legs into said coin accepting pathway, saidcradle being movable away from said standby position thereof and towardsaid delivery position thereof in response to the weight of a largerdiameter coin previously received by said legs, one of said legs, whensaid cradle is in its standby position or in a partially shiftedintermediate position thereof during the initial portion of its movementtoward its delivery position, extending into an entrance portion of saidaccepting pathway adjacent said zone and being disposed to block entryof even said lesser diameter coins into said accepting pathway, saidlegs being sufficiently spaced apart to normally clear said lesserdiameter coins for gravitational movement from said coin entry pathway,thence between said legs and into said nonselected coin pathway, saidcradle being vulnerable, under the influence of impact of an errantlesser diameter coin upon said one leg, to undesired movement of saidcradle toward said delivery position thereof and beyond saidintermediAte position thereof to move said one leg out of its saidblocking disposition and thereby permit said errant lesser diameter cointo enter said accepting pathway; and cradle latching means shiftablymounted on said structure for movement between a normal cradle latchingposition and a shifted cradle unlatching position thereof, said latchingmeans including cradle engaging means operable, when said latching meansis in its latching position, to restrain said cradle against movementtoward its delivery position beyond said intermediate position thereof,and coin sensing means disposed below and on a line extending verticallybetween said legs of said cradle and operable, when operatively engagedby either a larger diameter coin or a lesser diameter coin, to move saidlatching means to its unlatching position, said coin sensing means beingdisposed relative to said legs for operative engagement by the edge of alarger diameter coin supported on said legs as said cradle moves awayfrom said standby position toward said delivery position thereof and foroperative engagement by a lesser diameter coin only after the latter hassufficiently traversed a downward trajectory between said legs to becommitted to continuing passage toward and into said non-selected coinpathway.
 2. The invention of claim 1, wherein said latching means ismovable from its latching position to its unlatching position byoperative engagement of a lesser diameter coin with said coin sensingmeans while said cradle remains in its standby position.
 3. Theinvention of claim 1, wherein said latching means is swingable about asubstantially horizontal axis disposed in a vertical plane substantiallyperpendicular to the axis of pivoting of said cradle.
 4. The inventionof claim 3, wherein said cradle engaging means comprises a latchingprojection on said latching means extending into a position below saidone leg and in the path of movement of the latter when said latchingmeans is in its latching position, said latching projection beingwithdrawn from said path of travel of said one leg when said latchingmeans is swung to its unlatching position.
 5. The invention of claim 3,wherein said coin sensing means comprises a sensing projection on saidlatching means having an inclined upper surface engageable by either alarger diameter coin or a lesser diameter coin for swinging saidlatching means to its unlatching position.
 6. The invention of claim 5,wherein said cradle engaging means comprises a latching projection onsaid latching means extending into a position below said one leg and inthe path of movement of the latter when said latching means is in itslatching position, said latching projection being withdrawn from saidpath of travel of said one leg when said latching means is swung to itsunlatching position.
 7. The invention of claim 1, wherein is providedprimary cradle lock means pivotally mounted on said structure formovement between a normal locking position and a shifted unlockingposition, said cradle lock means including means coupled with saidcradle for restraining the latter against movement into its deliveryposition while said cradle lock means is in its locked position, and acoin-engageable tab extending into said testing zone generally abovesaid one leg and on the side of the latter opposite from the other ofsaid legs, said tab being normally operative when engaged by a largerdiameter coin supported on said cradle as the latter moves toward itsdelivery position to shift said cradle lock means to its unlockedposition, said cradle lock being vulnerable, under the influence ofimpact of an errant lesser diameter coin upon said tab, to undesiredshifting of said cradle lock means to its unlocked position, therebypermitting said errant lesser diameter coin, upon also impactivelyengaging said one leg, to cause said cradle to move toward said deliveryposition thereof and beyond said intermediate position thereof, wherebysaid errant lesser diameter coin Could enter said acceptance pathwayexcept for the employment of said latching means in conjunction withsaid primary cradle lock means.
 8. The invention of claim 7, whereinsaid coin sensing means of said latching means comprises a sensingprojection on said latching means having an inclined upper surfaceengageable by either a larger diameter coin or a lesser diameter coinfor swinging said latching means to its unlatching position, and saidcradle engaging means comprises a latching projection on said latchingmeans extending into a position below said one leg and in the path ofmovement of the latter when said latching means is in its latchingposition, said latching projection being withdrawn from said path oftravel of said one leg when said latching means is swung to itsunlatching position.